Smoke is blowing into the state from Southern California wildfires. The Arizona Department of Environmental Quality has been monitoring the situation and says there is some good news.
Michael Graves is an air quality forecaster with the state. While he said smoke from wildfires burning in the LA area has made its way into Arizona, “winds are really helping to push the smoke out of the area.”
Graves said current measurements show that levels of particulate matter in the air aren’t dangerous for most people.
“If you’re particularly sensitive to particulate pollution, you might experience shortness of breath,” he said. “It might aggravate lung disease.”
The plan, he said, is to notify the public if the risk gets any worse but levels aren’t expected to rise enough for widespread warnings.
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A record-hot winter with little rainfall set Arizona up for a potentially hazardous wildfire season. APS is urging customers, especially those in rural areas, to be prepared. -
The U.S Department of the Interior says fire danger in Arizona is above average due to warm and dry conditions. The elevated fire danger goes through June. -
The move is part of a "sweeping restructuring," which the agency said is intended to move leaders closer to the land they oversee. The plan has been met with concern. -
The Grand Canyon National Park is opening its North Rim to visitors starting May 15. But there will be restrictions. -
Arizona is the latest state to incorporate AI cameras from a company called Pano. The state is now operating seven cameras that monitor wildfire-prone areas for fires.
